Classrooms where children grow curious instead of fearful and confident instead of silent. Classrooms that embrace dignity, equality, and a lot of creative play — because joy is part of justice too. The photo above captures one of those joyful moments — a teacher celebrating a student’s effort and growth in front of her peers. I hope you enjoy this look at what people who care are making possible in Matènwa.
Peace,
Chris Low
Co-Founder and Executive Director | Friends of Matènwa
PS - I'd love to hear what you think about what we share here. Drop me a line!
Context Matters
As you may have seen in recent news, children across Haiti are facing extraordinary challenges — violence, displacement, and the loss of access to education. Against this backdrop, the Matènwa Community Learning Center is a rare and vital refuge: a place where children are safe, respected, and given the chance to learn with joy. This contrast exists because of so many who care. Their giving makes it possible for children in Matènwa to experience dignity, stability, and hope every day.
Even Before the School Year Begins!
Even before the first day of classes, the Matènwa Community Learning Center (MCLC) leadership team gathered teachers for training.
Every year there is a week of preparation—practicing what they preach: child-centered methods that promote and embrace creativity, leaving behind rote memorization and corporal punishment.
To make it fun (and memorable), teachers worked in groups under the theme “Agri-Kreyòl” — Agriculture and Creole. Together they researched the economical, nutritional, and medicinal value of tomatoes. Then, each group turned this new knowledge into songs, poems, and an acrostic in Creole.
I want to share one of the songs with you that has a very catchy chorus: “We must plant more tomatoes — the more we grow, the healthier we’ll be." Watch it below:
The joy in the room said it all: teachers leading with creativity, dignity, and joy — exactly what they want their students to experience in every classroom.
Students Take the Lead
Once classes began, students picked up where their teachers had left off, diving into Agri-Kreyòl in their own creative ways.
Kindergarten: Wrote and illustrated a book about cabbage.
2nd Grade: Created a song celebrating the beauty of the Creole language.
3rd Grade: Wrote poems and stories about tomatoes.
4th Grade: Sang a song in Creole, reinforcing pride in their first language.
5th Grade: Wrote songs about apricots, encouraging families to grow more food and fight hunger.
6th Grade: Partnered with local artist Junior to paint their agricultural research findings.
In Case You Missed It
This summer was full of energy and growth at MCLC's annual Summer Camp. Camp is designed so that everyone on Lagonav feels welcome — it’s open to the public. People from Matènwa and neighboring communities volunteer to lead week-long, child-centered activities. More than a dozen classes were offered this summer: crocheting, hair braiding, recording in the music studio, music lessons, dance, bead jewelry, macramé, chair-making, board games, computer games, and sports.
The entire camp community—teachers, students, and staff—gathered in a circle to share their books, songs, art, and performances. The pictures above show a joyful celebration of learning rooted in culture, language, and agriculture.
And here's a video with a glimpse of Summer Camp at MCLC that you won’t want to miss:
FoM Team Retreat in the Dominican Republic
This month, the FoM fundraising team: Chris Low, Brian Stevens, and Bianca Louis, spent a week together in the Dominican Republic to do some in-person planning.
It was a time to work on new strategies to ensure that MCLC has the long-term support it needs to continue its mission to transform education across Haiti. Out of that retreat came a renewed commitment to finding more members to join our Visionary, Leadership, and Sustainers giving circles. It's this kind of consistent support that allows teachers and students to dream bigger, knowing the FoM community has their back.
The Difference You Can Make
When you give, you are shaping classrooms where children discover their voices, grow their confidence, and experience joy in learning. Together, we can build a future where justice and dignity take root in every child’s education.
